As part of a larger contract, we were awarded the window and door replacement to an affluent mid-rise block in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.

What were the Challenges?

The building consisted of 18 properties in total, 10 of which were occupied by council tenants with the remaining 8 by owners.  English Heritage specified a steel framed window to preserve the building’s aesthetics.  The steel windows were a specialist product and vastly more expensive than PVCu or timber alternatives.  As the owners were required to pay for their share of the works, we were met with resistance from day 1.

What did we do?

To build an early rapport, Senior Managers and Liaison Officers attended an evening event at a nearby library with the Leaseholders and tenants where we discussed the specification and what they could expect during the works.  Regular coffee mornings were scheduled and advertised on notice boards throughout the building so the tenants and leaseholders could communicate directly with the Site Management team.

What was the Outcome?

The scheme was completed in line with the original delivery programme defect free and whilst all leaseholders reported their disdain at the price of the works, Customer satisfaction was high which due to the resistance faced before and during the scheme was warmly received and praised by the client.  We returned a year later to install Fire Doors throughout and were greeted more welcomingly on the back of our previous performance.